Bill · S. 3034· Senate(119-S-3034)
Reliable Power Act
- Introduced
- 10/23/2025
- Last activity
- 4/15/2026 — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-366.
- Sponsored by
- Tom Cotton
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Reliable Power Act. It changes the Federal Power Act by forcing certain reviews when our bulk-power system might not have enough electricity generation. The Electric Reliability Organization must conduct an annual long-term assessment to spot any risks of future electric energy supply shortfalls. If a risk is found, the organization must publicly notify the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The Commission will then notify other federal agencies like the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. Federal agencies must submit certain upcoming regulations to the Commission for review and comment if a state of generation inadequacy is declared. Finally, agencies cannot finalize those regulations until they respond to the Commission and the Commission determines the action will not significantly harm power reliability.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this give the federal government more power?+5
The legislation increases federal oversight authority by empowering FERC to review and block certain executive agency regulations.
Would people in cities be better off under this?+4
Urban residents benefit from enhanced oversight of bulk-power reliability to prevent blackouts and power shortages.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+4
Rural residents benefit from increased long-term assessments and safeguards ensuring reliable electricity supply across regions.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-4
The bill allows FERC to review and delay federal regulations affecting generation resources, potentially impacting environmental rules aimed at reducing emissions.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Better Oversight of Power Reliability: Under Section 2 (adding new subsection (g)(2) to the Federal Power Act), the Electric Reliability Organization must complete an annual long-term assessment analyzing the risk of future electric energy supply shortfalls under normal and extreme weather conditions. This helps spot potential blackouts or power shortages ahead of time.
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Checks on Federal Regulations: Under Section 2 (adding new subsection (h)(4) and (h)(5) to the Federal Power Act), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission gets to review and comment on federal agency regulations that affect generation resources if a generation inadequacy is found. This ensures that federal rules are checked to make sure they do not hurt our ability to keep the lights on.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Possible Delays in Federal Rulemaking: Under Section 2 (adding new subsection (h)(5) to the Federal Power Act), federal agencies cannot finalize a covered agency action until they respond in writing to the Commission's comments and until the Commission determines the action is not likely to have a significant negative impact on power reliability. This extra step could slow down the government from finalizing rules and taking action.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Urban Residents+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+5Improves Government Transparency+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections-4
- 5/12/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/15/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-366.
- 10/23/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Introduced in Senate
David McCormickRepublican · Pennsylvania